President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will likely be drained for repairs after a recent algae bloom and peeling paint marred the landmark's appearance, just months after a $15 million renovation by his administration.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “We met with contractors today, will probably be forced to release and drain much of the water in order to do the necessary repairs, but will have them done as quickly as possible.” He claimed the pool had “worked perfectly” after the renovation, including a “mirror like finish,” but said vandals had caused the current problems.
Trump also asserted that “many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool.” However, reports indicate that one of those detained, three-time Olympian David Hearn, told The Washington Post he was arrested by U.S. Park Police for touching a peeling piece of paint liner, facing a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property.
The president’s claims of vandalism come amid ongoing maintenance issues at the pool. Shortly after the renovation, the water turned green due to an algae bloom. The Interior Department had said vacuuming the pool was the “final maintenance step” and that hydrogen peroxide was being used to treat the water, with “no harmful side effects” to marine life or the environment.
Trump’s post also referenced the pool’s history, saying it “hasn’t looked or worked like this since 1922” and that earlier versions “leaked badly.” He accused vandals of an “affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln” and called for severe penalties, writing, “Years in jail!”
The controversy is the latest in a series of renovation projects Trump has undertaken during his second term, including a ballroom project that destroyed the White House’s East Wing and sparked widespread backlash. Critics have questioned the administration’s oversight of these high-cost projects.
For more on the broader context of Trump’s renovation efforts, see our earlier report on the pool's renovation challenges. Additionally, Trump’s claims of vandalism have drawn skepticism from observers who note the pool’s design flaws.
As the draining process begins, the National Park Service will oversee repairs, though no timeline has been provided. The pool, a iconic Washington landmark, has been a frequent target of maintenance issues since its original construction in 1922, which Trump noted “didn’t work” even then.
